Fertilization and seeding effects on vegetative cover after wildfire in North-central Washington State

17Citations
Citations of this article
16Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Land surface treatments are often applied after severe wildfires to mitigate runoff and erosion threats. However, questions remain about treatment effectiveness, even as treatment costs continue to rise. We experimentally evaluated the effects of seeding and fertilization treatments on vegetative and total soil cover for two growing seasons after the Pot Peak wildfire in the eastern Cascade Mountains. Without treatments, vegetative cover averaged 15% the first year and 27% the second year after wildfire. Fertilization significantly increased vascular plant cover and reduced bare soil area in both years, but differences between low and high fertilization levels were not significant. Fertilization also increased cryptogam cover. Seeding alone was generally ineffective; however, the combination of fertilization with a seed mixture containing the native forb, yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), produced the highest vascular plant cover and lowest bare soil area. Our results suggest that fertilization may be more effective than seeding, probably providing a degree of protection from erosion, especially the second year after fire. However, treatment effectiveness must be evaluated in context against costs and potential ecosystem impacts. © 2009 by the Society of American Foresters.

References Powered by Scopus

The role of fire and soil heating on water repellency in wildland environments: A review

934Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Post-fire runoff and erosion from simulated rainfall on small plots, Colorado Front Range

289Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Postfire erosional processes in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions

249Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Efficacy of bark strands and straw mulching after wildfire in NW Spain: Effects on erosion control and vegetation recovery

86Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Testing the effects of straw mulching and herb seeding on soil erosion after fire in a gorse shrubland

67Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Post-fire salvage logging alters species composition and reduces cover, richness, and diversity in Mediterranean plant communities

60Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Peterson, D. W., Dodson, E. K., & Harrod, R. J. (2009). Fertilization and seeding effects on vegetative cover after wildfire in North-central Washington State. Forest Science, 55(6), 494–502. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestscience/55.6.494

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 7

58%

Researcher 3

25%

Professor / Associate Prof. 2

17%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Environmental Science 6

50%

Earth and Planetary Sciences 3

25%

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 2

17%

Medicine and Dentistry 1

8%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free